3.16.4 The Reading Method

2. The “Reading ‘Round” Method. The old idea of a class coming together and sitting through a process of reading in turn from the one book in the class as it was passed about is largely a thing of the past. Let us hope that the day when neither teacher nor pupil prepared his lesson is gone forever. Surely “reading ’round” is a poor substitute for preparation.

And it clearly is a dull, routine method of procedure. But there was one merit attached to it that is worthy our consideration. It did bring the lessons into the hands of our kids. We cannot advocate resorting to the old notion of “reading ’round” as an apology for a recitation, but we can well point out the merit of seeing to it that kids see and read the lesson materials.

If the lesson can be so conducted that reading is indulged in as a supplementary laboratory exercise—a turning through of gems that entice the reader to make further study of the book—then reading can be made a very valuable factor in the teaching process. Then, too, it is educational just to have members of a class turn through the lesson taught to know what they are—what books are involved and where they may be found.

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